Hi, I want to buy a 2018 Skoda Karoq SE L TSI, from one of the big used car dealership chains. I test drove it (unfortunately couldn't go much above 25mph as they only allow a tiny test drive in their local area!), it felt ok.

Also had ClickMechanic do a comprehensive inspection - the guy was happy with the car's condition. One niggle remains - he said it has a "historic" P25B3 fault code (turbo wastegate stuck open). Really annoyingly, the dealership did not allow the mechanic to test drive the car. He said he just needs to listen to the turbo kicking in when accelerating. And there was nobody available in the branch to go for a drive with us, before he had to leave for his next job. Mechanic said it's probably OK as it's a historic fault, but I want to be sure.

I requested the dealership to have this looked at (car also needed a central locking issue fixed). But I don't really trust that they will properly investigate. I will try to get them to put down in writing that this was investigated and not found to be a fault. Are Skoda themselves able to tell me if this car ever had this particular issue fixed? Service history shows services with Bristol Street Skoda every year from new, except last year (independent garage).

This 2018 car only has about 35K miles, so may have been mostly used for short local trips, which from what I've read can cause the turbo wastegate to seize up.

Hi, welcome.

The fact that an historic error code shows indicates a certain laziness in the past as it should have been deleted. A 6-7 year VW old car will be out of warranty (in the UK but not elsewhere) and could have been through x-numbers of owners and garages (though the low mileage may suggest one or few owners) so repairs, servicing and maintenance may be recorded digitally or not, and with VWŠkoda or not. You could ask the seller for a print out of the digital service history or try contacting Škoda UK but I can't remember what they require to give this info out. Repairs may not be listed, they're not on the history I have for the repairs (this is a modern VW so not as well made as last century).

With any used car the only history you can get is what has been reported and possibly you might not always get all of that, what is not recorded needs to be looked for or found, so you done the right thing by taking a mechanic but even if he drove the car he won't know the full history and condition of the car, he can only go on the information he's given and finds on the test drive at that time, same as an MoT PASS it only relates to that one point in time not really the past or future.

Personally I suggest you look for a Toyota or Honda, perhaps a little older, but if you have your heart set on this model of car then look elsewhere if the seller doesn't give you what you want. I'm older so I would expect to be allowed on a longer test drive route or tell the salesman /Sales Manager / garage Principal / Area Manager or whoever if I can't properly test drive the car I'd buy from elsewhere.

For the wastegate issue and central locking issue if you have not already done so you could look at the Škoda Karoq section and forum(s) on this website and ask there for other owners experience and advice.

A low annual mileage and lots of short trips can cause other issues, you want the engine oil (oil not coolant) temperature to reach say 90c on journeys for better protection of the engine and the oil plus the 12v battery may not get sufficient regular charge causing it (and to some extent alternator) more wear and tear, low battery for the computer systems can cause all sorts of issues, low but headlights will still seem bright enough and engine start, the use of an appropriate battery charge can solve this and preventative recharging can prevent the problem. Then the tyres will perhaps age more if the car is sitting around outside a lot. Of course there will be less wear on many items, but they still age.

HTH.

Škoda Karoq - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/365-%C5%A1koda-karoq/

If the dealer is not being particularly cooperative, I’d be inclined to walk away.

What was the reason the dealership gave for not allowing the mechanic to test drive the car?

19 minutes ago, smithy285 said:

What was the reason the dealership gave for not allowing the mechanic to test drive the car?

Just some BS about "that's out policy". The mechanic who came out (got him via ClickMechanic) said he'd been to do an inspection at that very branch some months before and was allowed. But he also said they seemed to have upped their security - he was required to provide various ID etc that he wasn't asked to do previously.

It was the same BS about only being able to do a 5 minute test drive - "it's out of our hands, it's all we are allowed to do".

It may well be their policies, but it is definitely irritating for a customer.

My policy would be not to buy from them. If they want to sell the car to you they should sort out a longer test drive and facilitate your mechanic - perhaps they've had cars stolen, staff issues or something and want more security - or they have these policies because they want easy quick sales of stock they're not 100% confident about - or company, management, staff are just usual English motor trade shysters.

There are two parties to a sales if either one isn't reasonably satisfied then it might be best for one, other or both to walk away from making a regrettable contract.

@GuyIncognito The simple answer to your question is Yes, if the car was serviced by any Skoda main dealer. If the car has had work done by specialists then depending on if they sign up to be able to update the online service history or not there may be gaps.

If you go to a Skoda garage with the VIN and the Reg, they may help you and give you a printout of the official online history. If they do it will be as a favour, it's not something you can demand.

Sorry I must have missed your question.

What the Dealership will have to give as a print out is what is called a "Complete record" (you don't want "individual record") if the information is correct (it isn't always, there can possibly be entry errors I can assure you of that) should perhaps help with dates and mileage and some "service" and "maintenance" record, subject to as Aldfort has already put. As with other history checks what's not reported is not recorded and errors and omissions may be in them.

I put all information in reverse chronological order to make it easier to see what has been done more recently and to make it easier to check and cross reference information from different sources and records and you can more easily check if any work has been done in a timely manner or late or missed. "Services" for modern cars are little more than an engine oil and filter change (and a "free" look for more chargeable work) which isn't even a full service of the engine let alone the car.

HTH.

Edited 4 June4 Jun by nta16
typos

On 06/05/2025 at 12:35, GuyIncognito said:

Hi, I want to buy a 2018 Skoda Karoq SE L TSI, from one of the big used car dealership chains. I test drove it (unfortunately couldn't go much above 25mph as they only allow a tiny test drive in their local area!), it felt ok.

Also had ClickMechanic do a comprehensive inspection - the guy was happy with the car's condition. One niggle remains - he said it has a "historic" P25B3 fault code (turbo wastegate stuck open). Really annoyingly, the dealership did not allow the mechanic to test drive the car. He said he just needs to listen to the turbo kicking in when accelerating. And there was nobody available in the branch to go for a drive with us, before he had to leave for his next job. Mechanic said it's probably OK as it's a historic fault, but I want to be sure.

I requested the dealership to have this looked at (car also needed a central locking issue fixed). But I don't really trust that they will properly investigate. I will try to get them to put down in writing that this was investigated and not found to be a fault. Are Skoda themselves able to tell me if this car ever had this particular issue fixed? Service history shows services with Bristol Street Skoda every year from new, except last year (independent garage).

This 2018 car only has about 35K miles, so may have been mostly used for short local trips, which from what I've read can cause the turbo wastegate to seize up.

Any dealer worth buying from should just hand you the keys and let you take a 15-30 minute test drive.

Walk away and tell them that you're walking away as you weren't able to have a proper test drive of the car.

If they shrug and say "Okay, goodbye." you've just dodged a bullet.

There wasn't an "A" and a "C" in the selling dealership's trade name - was there?

In AUS they will only give the service records to the owner they have on file. Same at VW unless as I did i got paper records of each time it went to workshop and kept them for when I sold it. Also changed ownership at the dealers so new guy had access to them. Have seen same posted on here for GB

For similar reason I keep a full paper service history and place it in the car when I sell it or trade it in.

@Exkiwi you get all sorts of f crap off them in the UK about Data Protection and Service Desk staff thinking they are gatekeepers. People be them registered keeper, new buyers, mechanics and the likes are just trying to service and maintain vehicles that have the record kept in a VW group system and are being responsible. Drivers being responsible. Their actions is more like being obstructive at times and they forget Corporate Responsibilities and after sales care. I try being nice and grateful but when I need to ask for the Dealer Principal or general manager I remind them they are a service industry selling and servicing motor vehicles and do not be a d!CK head or allow the staff to be. Retract names of staff if needs must. But actually who signs off servicing is important if who did it is incompetent.

From Dealership(s) my wife has paid -

• 'Visual Health Check' is a computer paper colour print out has printed name of person "Inspected by" and "Quality Control by" (same name on the sheet I'm looking at now for both,

• 'Maintenance list' is paper printed grey scale ticksheet is 'biro' ticks to boxes and "Date / signature (person responsible" and "Date / signature (final check)" have large date at each and same initials on both.

On 07/06/2025 at 12:01, Aldfort said:

For similar reason I keep a full paper service history and place it in the car when I sell it or trade it in.

I keep receipts and have a spreadsheet detailing what I've done, when, at what mileage (usually) and how much it cost.